Safety device



R. E. FOWLER SAFETY DEVICE Dec. 15, 1931.

Filed May 28, 1930 Ne R mw m 0 z w B3 Patented Dec. 15, 1931 UNITED STATES ROBERT E. FOWLER, 01ECLEVELAND, OHIO SAFETY Application filed May 28,

In the effort of safeguarding workmen employed on scaffolding etc., it has been customary to provide a rope within hand reach such that in event of starting to fall, the rope could be rasped. This however is useless in cases of sudden fainting or other lack of a quick conscious effort necessary for a successful grasping of the rope, and in all cases it leaves too much to the cooperation of the workman. A safety device which is automaticall tion and yet which will not interfere with free normal movements of the workman is accordingly of high importance and fundamentally desirable.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the features hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain structure embodying the invention, this being illustrative however of but one of the various ways in which the principle of the invention I may be employed.

In said annexed drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the rope-engaging portion; Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken substantially on line IIIIII, Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view.

A body-belt 1 is provided with a buckle 2 or other suitable closure means whereby it may be adjusted to the trunk or waist of the workman, and engaging with the belt is a member 3 having parallel slots 4, 5, through which the belt is threaded. Outstanding from the belt-engaging member 8 is a pair of lugs or ears 6, 7, in which is pivoted the bar-end 8 of a T-lever, the stem 9 of which is normally directed upwardly. A ropeguide 10, preferably of tubular form such that a rope or wire cable It may pass therethrough, is provided with a pair of lateral lugs or ears 11, 12, and a slot 13 is cut through therebetween. The other bar-end 14 of the aforementioned T-lever is pivoted in the lugs 11, 12. The respective pivot pins 15, 16, holding the T-lever to the mounting-lugs are effective regardless of any atten PATENT OFFICE DEVICE 1930. Serial No. 456,351.

preferably permanently set rivets so as to preclude possible accidental separation.

Extending as'a projection from the end 14 .E/ssu latter is allowed full freedom of movement in working back and forth on his scafl'old or ledgeor other support upon which he may be, and. the rope may playor freely slide upardly. In the event however of astart to fall, the downward movement is immediately arrested, the nose cam 17 locking against downward slide by toggling into binding engagement with the rope. The workmans fall is thus prevented, and he may be re leased, either by his own action or by assistance, by pressure upon the handle portion.

or upstanding stem 9 of the T-lever, the handle being thrust toward the rope guide 10, whereby to release the nose-cam 17 from binding engagement against the rope.

It will thus be seen, that complete safety against falls may be had, irrespective of any volition or direct effort on the part of the workman. Restraint upon normal movements is however avoided, and a person wearing such belt is enabled to proceed in his work as if free from limiting means. Immediately on emergency however, the device comes into action.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the means stated in any of the following claims, or the equivalent of such, be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. A safety device, comprising a member to be secured to a body-belt, a rope-guide having a connection to said member and being slidable upwardly of a rope, means actuated by a downward pull of said member for locking said guide against downward slide, and

a handle normally parallel to the guide for releasing said locking means.

2. A safety device, comprising a belt-engaging member having parallel slots to receive a body-belt, a lever pivoted on said beltengaging member, a rope-guide pivoted on said lever slidable upwardly on a rope and having a lateral opening, a cam projection extending from said lever into said guide to engage the rope to lock the guide against downward sliding movement, and a handle 'norrnally parallel to the guide for releasing said locking projection.

3. A safety device, comprising a member to be secured to a body-belt, a rope-guide slidable upwardly of a rope and having a lateral opening, a lever having an arm pivoted on said member and another arm pivoted on said rope-guide, a cam associated with the latter arm and operated thereby to lock said guide against downward sliding movement, and means to optionally unlock said cam.

4;. A safety device, comprising a belt-engaging member toreceive a body-belt, a lever having an arm-pivoted on said belt-engaging member, a rope-guide slidable upwardly of a rope and having a lateral opening, said lever having another arm pivoted on said ropeguide and having a cam projection extending into said guide for locking said guide against downward sliding movement, and a handle connected with said lever to optionally unlock said cam.

5. A safety device, comprising a body-belt,

, a belt-engaging member having parallel slots to receive the belt, a pair of lugs on the upper central outer face of said member, a T- lever having one bar-end pivoted to said lugs, and its stem projecting upwardly, ,a tubular rope-guide freely slidable upwardly of a rope, said guide having a pair of lateral lugs and a slot therebetween, the other bar-endof said T-lever being pivoted in said last-namedlugs and having a nose-cam projection extending into the slot to lock said guide against down-- Ward sliding movement on the rope.

Signed by me this 22 day of May, 1930; ROBERT E. FOWLER. 

